UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

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                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2003

                          ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                        0-22228               11-3170868
- -------------------------------     ---------------------    -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission File No.)       (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

          ONE ASTORIA FEDERAL PLAZA, LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK 11042-1085
          ------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 327-3000

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


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ITEMS 1 THROUGH 6, 8, 9, 10, AND 11. NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)   Exhibits.

      The following Exhibits are furnished as part of this report:

      99.1  Press  release  dated  October 16, 2003 which,  among other  things,
            highlights the Company's financial results for the third quarter and
            nine months ended September 30, 2003.

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

      On October 16, 2003, Astoria Financial  Corporation issued a press release
reporting  financial  results  for the  third  quarter  and  nine  months  ended
September 30, 2003. The full text of the earnings  release is included herein as
Exhibit  99.1.  The press  release  provides  certain  information  which may be
considered  non-GAAP  financial  information.  These items may include  tangible
stockholders'   equity,   book  value  and  tangible   book  value  and  related
calculations.

      The information  provided pursuant hereto shall not be deemed incorporated
by reference by any general  statement  incorporating by reference this Form 8-K
into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under
such Acts.


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                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                  ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                                  /S/ Peter J. Cunningham
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Peter J. Cunningham
                                                  First Vice President and
                                                  Director of Investor Relations

Dated: October 16, 2003

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number    Description
- --------------    -----------

99.1              Press  release  dated  October  16,  2003  which,  among other
                  things,  highlights  the Company's  financial  results for the
                  third quarter ended September 30, 2003.


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